Electric switch.



c. 1..I L|EIN.l

ELECTRIC SWITCH.A

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I4|` `I9I2.

Patented .Iun 13, 1916.

mama@ run! n Y iin CHARLES J". KLEIN OF MILTVAUKEE, WISCONSIN, vASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLERFHAMMER MFG. CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A nCDRPORATIION 0F WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

specification of Letters raient.` Patented Jun@ 13, was,

Application filed August 14, 191,2. Serial No. 715,048.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, CHARLns J.`KLEIN, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Miiwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had 'to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this spe'ccation.

My invention. relates to electric switches.

It has among vits objects to provide an improved snap switch mechanism which is efiicient in its action and may be readily and cheaply manufactured.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved electric Hush switch adapted to make and break the circuit with a quick snap action when actuated in either direction and which is of an improved rugged and unitary construction. A

Other ob `ects and advantages of my improved. construction will hereinafter appear.

in order to clearly and fully disclose my invention I have illustrated one embodiment of the same in the accompanying drawings. My invention may, however, assume other forms. f

Figure 1 shows a top plan view lof an assembled center switch in its receptacle.

ciprocated in a frame 3 to reciprocate a 'movable Contact carrying block 4 to make or break the circuit at stationary contacts 5 and 6 carried within a receptacle 7.

Both the cams '1 and 2 are formed of Hat strips of sheet metal and are provided with.

*active surfaces upon their adjacent edges.

The active surface ofthe cam 1 is in the form of a hill having a sharp peak, while the active'surface of the cam` 2 is.l inverted with respect to the active surface ofthe cam 1 andis in the form of a valley, the sloping active surfaces of each cam member being substantially parallel with the corresponding surfaces .upon the other. Push buttons 8 and 9 are fixed to extensions 10 and 11 .upon the upper ends of these cam memare rounded and move in elongated transversely extending recesses 15 in the upper ends of the cam members adjacent to the lower ends of the push buttons. Asillus trated, suitable cut-away portions 16 are provided in the lower ends of the push buttonsto permit the free movement of this lever.

The movable contact block 4 is formed of insulation and is carried between the .cams 1 and 2 and reciprocated by the same upon a pair of vertical spindles 17 and 18 located upon the opposite sides of the frame 3 as shown in Fig. 3. As illustrated, these spindles extend 'through vertically extending metallic sleeves 19 carried by the block 4. A coiled spring 20 is housed in a horizontally extending metallic sleeve 21 located centrally within the member 4, and having its ends extending into recesses 22 in the ends of the same. This spring tends to normally press a pair of balls 23, 24 to their outermost position in the vertically slotted ends 25 of the sleeve, wherein they engage with the active surface of the cams 1 and 2. As the push buttons are reciprocated, the balls 'and .24 are pushedl inward by the movement of the cam members through the slotted ends of the sleeve. This compresses l the spring 20. Vhenthe peak of the cam lis forced past the ball 23, the pressure upon the spring 20 is suddenly released and the movable contact block is actuated with a quick snap action, the balls 23 and 24 traveling over the oppositely located active surfaces 'of 'the cams. 1n preferred form suitable extensions 26 are provided at the 2o each other, and are bent down over the sides ends the .active surfaces of the cams in order to limit the travel of the balls thereon.u

It is to be noted thatthe ball 23`travels eni tirely 4over the active surface of ,thei cam l,

1 while `the ball 24 travels alternately back and forthove'r a half of the active surface of the cam 2, returning at the end of each operation -to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Obviously, upon the alternate reciprocation of the push buttons the block 4 is alternatelyy reciprocated in opposite directions. The movable contacts for the switchv mechanism 'are carried; upon the corners of this block 4. As illustrated, these contacts a. single piece of stamped metal and are insulated'from each other by spacing the same `apart asshown in Figs] and 4. Each of the same is provided with a plurality of vertically extending Contact surfaces 27, 28 which eXtend at right angles with respect to of the block as shown in Fig. 1. Obviously, these contacts may be attached to the insu lating block 4 by any-suitable means, as by screws 29.

The switch I,mechanism is mounted in the frame 3 in such a mann'erthat it constitutes with the franie a removable unit. The frame with the switch mechanism inposition therein is shown in Fig. 4. This frame includes a horizontally extending to plate 3 and a substantially U-shaped mem er 30 attached to the bottom thereof. Both of these members are formed' of stamped metal. The plate -3 is provided with openings through which the push buttons are reciprocatedand at its ends is provided with 'openings through i which the means for attaching it to a face plate and the base 7 are passed. lrPhe U- shaped member 3() is provided with a longi- A tudinally extending slot 3l in its bottom.

The lower ends of the spindlesl and 18 are seated on opposite sides oflthis slot and eX- tend .between the member 30 andthe top plate 3 to which they are llikewise fixed. As

y illustrated in `Fig.v2,' the inner ends of the cam members move-through the ends of the slot 31 and are provided with shoulders32 which engage with theupper surface of the memberB() to limit the movement of the push buttons. In order to guide the cam members, suitable struck-in portions 33 are formed in the sides of the U-shaped member 30. y

Themreceptacle 7 is formed ofinsulating material an is provided with an` open top through which the switch unit is inserted.

The frame t' is attached to the receptacle 7 by-mans of screws 34 which extend through suitable vertically extending` recesses 35. in the ends of the receptacle and are received in threaded openings 36 in the ends ofthe frame In a double pole switch such' as illustrated, a plurality of sets of stationary contacts are; carried upon each side of the.

are formed of .l

incassa Y' receptacle in a position to vbe engaged by the contacts 27 and 28 on the contact block 4 A set oft' contacts 5 is provided at each corner of, the receptacle. rThese contacts are resilient and attached to the bottom of the receptacle by means of screws 37, which in turn connect them to verticallyl extending terminal posts 38 carrying binding screws 3 9. The lower ends of the termina-l posts are provided with extensions 40 which are secured to the bottom of the receptacle by means of screws'41. It is to be noted thatl each of the contacts 5 is divided into two resilient strips in order to increase its regage the contacts" 27 upon themovable con.

tact block, while the contacts 6 are adapted to engage the contacts'28 carried thereon.

Obviously, when the switch mechanism is in position within the base, a' suitableV face plate 44 may be placed in position upon'the `device as in the usual manner.

to remove the screws 34, whereupon the entire operating mechanism `may be witlr drawn. It is further to be noted that the push buttons are-positively driven so that the switch is always in position to be operated. The limits of travel of theblock 4 are established by the engagement of the same It is to benoted that when it is desired to remove the entire switch mechanism, it 1s only necessary l with the U-shaped member 30 when moved in one direction and by the engagement of the upper ends of the sleeves 17 .and 18 with the top plate 3 of the frame when moved in the opposite direction. As heretofore indicated, `the limits of travel of the cam members and push buttons are established by the engagement of the stops 32 with the bottom plate 30. Further, the provision of the stops 36 upon the cam members serves to rovide an additional balancing element parts. .In order to permit 'the free move-- ment of the'cam members 1 and 2, the botor the tom of the lreceptacle 7 is'recessed at 45.

Further, if desired', a suitable. cushioning member 46, as,'for` instance,y a leatherstrip, maybe placed upon the bottom of'th'e base or receptacle to cut down the vibration; etc., .V upon reciprocation of they contact carrying member. Y

Assuming. that electrical, connections are i meats@ made to the-binding screws 39 and that the movable contact block 4 is in the up or circuit closing position shown in Fig. 4, current flows in a similar path through the contacts on each side of the switch-from the bindtacts 5, 6 on each side of the switchupon the downward reciprocation of the block l and the contacts 27 and 28 carried thereby..

Thus when the pushbuttons are recipro cated the circuit is'made or broken simultaneously with a quick snap' action at a plurality of points in such a `manner as to divide up the'arc and avoid injurious sparking.

WYhile'l have described one form of my invention in order to fully and clearly disclose the same, I do not restrict myself to the construction herein shown for purposes of illustration since this construction may be modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electric switch, in combination, cams comprising a pair of relatively and oppositely reciprocable rigid plates, one having a concave active surface and the other having a convex active surface, pushbuttons fixed to the ends of said plates, and a contact-carrying member in resilient operative engagement with said cams and movable thereby in selective directions.

2. ln an electric switch, in combination,

' reciprocable cams comprising .fiat plates having active surfaces on th'eir adjacent edges, one'of said active surfaces being concave and the other convex, pushbuttons rigidly attached to the ends of said plates, a contactcarrying member therebetween, and means carried bylsaid member resiliently engaging said active surfaces for imparting a snap, movement to said member upon operation of said push-buttons and in a direction governed by the direction of movement o'f said concave' cam.

3. In an electric switch, in combination, a plurality of reciprocable unyielding cams, one of the same having a concave active surface and. another thereof having a convex active surface, a contact-carrying member interposed between said cams and reciprocable in a path parallel thereto, springpressed means carried by said member atmeans to raise one of said cams when the other is depressed.

4. In combination, a unitary frame including a top plate and a U-shaped member fixed thereto, ,a snap switch mechanism movable in said frame and having a pair of operating cams movable th-rough said top plate and limited by engagement with said U-shaped member, and a lever pivoted to said frame and acting to raise one of said voperating members when the other is depressed.'

5. In combination, a frame including atop plate and a U-shaped member -ixed thereto, said U-shaped member having a slot in its bottom., a plurality of cams movable through said top and bottom plates, said cams being guided and limited in their movement by engagement with portions of said U-shaped member, a spindle carried by said lJ-shaped member, and a Contact -carrying member reciprocable on said spindleupon movement of either of said cams,

6. In combination, a frame including a top plate and a depending U-shaped member fixed thereto, a pair Aof reciprocable cams movable through said top plate and guided and limited in their movement by engagement with said U-shaped member, a pair of spindles carried upon said U-shaped member and extending between the same and said top plate, a contact carrying member reciprocable on said spindles upon movement of either of said cams, fand means carried by said frame, for returning one of said cams to its initial position when the other is operated.

7 In an electric flush switch, in combination, a reciprocable operated member having associated contacts, a pair of push button operating members therefor interlocked to reciprocate in opposite directions, means' to receive and store energy upon movement of said push buttons for imparting an accelerated circuit-changing movement to said operated member, a single cam on one of said push buttons engaging said operated member for governing the direction of accelerated movement thereof, and ay single cam on the otherv of said push buttons for temporarily restraining said operated member against movement, said cams coperating during restraint of said operated member to effect a storage of energy in said means. I

8. In an electric iiush switch, in combination, a reciprocable operated member having associated contacts, a pair of push but! ton operating members therefor disposed on opposite sides thereof:` and interlocked to reciprocate in opposite directionspneans associated 'with said operating members to receive and store energy for imparting an accelerated circuit changing movement to said operated member, a single concave cam memes on one of .said push buttonsand lasingie- In witness whereof, ,Irhave hereunto subscribedmy name vin the presence of two witlo nesses. v t

V CHARLES J. KLEIN.

Witnesses: A

J. I. PACKARD, JEANETTE S. BROCK,A 

